The conversation around Agent Experience (AX) is rapidly evolving. As we continue to explore the future of web interactions, it’s clear that we need to rethink how AI agents engage with digital platforms.
At Netlify, we have been deeply invested in AX, building on foundational concepts shared in Mathias Biilmann’s article on AX. Sean Roberts, our head of AX architecture and distinguished engineer, takes this vision a step further by proposing we rethink how agents use the web and how we can provide a purpose-built view of the Agent Web that’s mutually beneficial for humans, agents, and websites.
Why the Agent Web matters
The modern web is inherently built for human consumption, yet as AI agents play an increasingly critical role in digital workflows, we must acknowledge their distinct needs. The Agent Web is not a separate web but a purpose-built view of the web that prioritizes AX while coexisting with human-centric experiences.
This shift is essential because the traditional web, designed for human interaction, places unnecessary burdens on AI systems while also imposing costs and inefficiencies on website owners.
Sean’s article outlines a future where agents interact with structured, optimized content rather than parsing human-oriented web pages. This approach reduces resource costs for websites, enhances the accuracy of AI responses, and improves the overall ecosystem for both businesses and users.
The vision for an optimized agent experience
Addressing how we can be more intentional about AX, the Agent Web proposes a few key innovations for this agent ecosystem that are based on techniques widely available on the web today:
- Purposeful views for AI agents: Agents should receive a streamlined version of web content that aligns with their needs, optimizing data for consumption without extraneous resources.
- Content negotiation for agents: Just as browsers use HTTP content negotiation, AI agents should be able to request content in the most efficient format, such as structured API responses or machine-readable text.
- New standards for interaction: Beyond traditional APIs, the Agent Web envisions natural language-based APIs that allow AI to request and interact with information more dynamically.
- Rethinking authentication: As agents act on behalf of users, we need better authentication and authorization mechanisms to securely delegate access without compromising security.
The future of AX at Netlify
We are committed to advancing AX through open community collaboration, ensuring that we, as a community, help drive a better web and a better future for the agent-web interaction. Want to get involved? Here are some ways to get started.
Our focus on developer experience (DX) revolutionized frontend development, and now, AX will define the next wave of innovation. Working with the community to evolve AX openly will unlock new efficiencies and opportunities, allowing users and their AI counterparts to engage with services in a way that services can control and support their end users.
Check out the full research article on the Agent Web and Its Interface here and continue exploring how AX is reshaping the web. As the industry moves towards an open, agent-friendly future, it’s time to ask: How can your product evolve to support a great AX?